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PRINTER'S NO. 192
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
223
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY SONNEY, BENNINGHOFF, BLOOM, D. COSTA, DALEY,
HARKINS, HARPER AND MILLARD, JANUARY 31, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
JANUARY 31, 2017
AN ACT
Amending the act of December 14, 1982 (P.L.1227, No.281),
entitled "An act regulating the practice of architecture in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; providing for the
examination and licensure of architects by a State Architects
Licensure Board; and providing penalties," further providing
for definitions, for powers of board and for issuance and
renewal of certificates.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 3 of the act of December 14, 1982
(P.L.1227, No.281), known as the Architects Licensure Law,, is
amended by adding definitions to read:
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the
meanings given to them in this section:
* * *
"Continuing education." Educational activities which:
(1) promote competency of licensees;
(2) are given by providers that are approved by the
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board; and
(3) meet the criteria established by regulations
promulgated by the board.
* * *
"Health, s afety and w elfare c redits." Technical and
professional subjects that the b oard deems appropriate to
safeguard the public's health, safety and welfare. The subjects
shall include, but not be limited to , the following:
(1) Building design.
(2) Environmental or land use analysis.
(3) Life safety systems.
(4) Building programming.
(5) Site and soils analysis.
(6) Accessibility.
(7) Lateral forces and seismic design.
(8) Building codes.
(9) Evaluation and selection of building systems,
products or materials.
(10) Construction methods.
(11) Contract documentation.
(12) Construction administration.
(13) Electrical system considerations.
(14) Mechanical system considerations.
(15) Plumbing system considerations.
(16) Structural system considerations.
(17) Standards of Professional Conduct and Ethics.
* * *
Section 2. Section 6 of the act is amended by adding a
subsection to read:
Section 6. Powers of board.
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* * *
(b.1) The board shall establish, adopt , promulgate and
enforce rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of
this act setting forth a continuing education requirement to be
satisfied by all individuals holding a certificate to engage in
the practice of architecture as a condition of renewal of the
certificate.
* * *
Section 3. Section 10(a) of the act is amended to read:
Section 10. Issuance and renewal of certificates.
(a) Upon payment of the fees required by section 11, an
individual who has complied with section 8 or 9 shall be
entitled to a certificate indicating that [he] the individual is
qualified to engage in the practice of architecture in this
Commonwealth. Each certificate shall contain the name of the
individual to whom it was issued and shall be valid for [a
period of two years.] the applicable biennial period or the
remainder of the applicable biennial licensure period. The
following shall apply to the continuing education requirement
under section 6(b.1):
(1) As a condition for the biennial renewal of a
license, a licensee must provide certification of successful
completion of a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education.
A minimum of 12 hours of the required continuing education
must be in the subject areas of health, safety and welfare
credits.
(2) A licensee of another jurisdiction in which the
architect's primary practice is located shall be deemed to
have satisfied the continuing education requirement under
paragraph (1) if the licensee:
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(i) has a continuing education requirement in the
jurisdiction of primary practice; and
(ii) certifies on the biennial renewal application
that the licensee has satisfied the continuing education
requirement of the jurisdiction of primary practice.
(3) Certification of credit hours submitted by a
licensee must be properly signed as being correct and true.
(4) An individual applying for initial licensure shall
be exempt from the continuing education requirement during
the biennial licensure period in which the individual
obtained the initial licensure.
(5) The board may waive all or part of the continuing
education requirement for a licensee who provides evidence
satisfactory to the board that the licensee was unable to
complete the requirement due to illness, emergency, hardship
or active military service.
* * *
Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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